A league that has repeatedly fumbled its handling of off-field issues did a decent job with how it dealt with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, but more could have been done. Meanwhile, on the field, Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen is going with the quarterback he felt deserved to start. Here's a look at three stories creating buzz around the NFL this week, including Irsay's suspension and David Carr's ascension.

First down: Not packing enough punch

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league had to get tough with Colts owner Jim Irsay, and they did not get tough enough. Irsay, arrested in March, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while under the influence. Irsay is a league owner, and the standards set within the framework of each of the 32 member clubs starts at the top of the organizational chart. Those at the summit should be held to the highest of standards. Given the sentence that was handed down, it is clear that the league needs to work on fully understanding what that means.

The NFL delivered a punishment that includes a six-game suspension and $500,000 fine. The six games seems light while the latter figure, the maximum the commissioner can levy, smacks of "why bother?" The amount is about the equivalent of a highway toll when considering Irsay's billionaire status.

The league was on the right track with banning Irsay from representing the team in any way, shape or form while he is suspended. What was lacking was the length. Forget the half million; the NFL needed to keep Irsay away for a longer period of time. The Indianapolis owner is to also refrain from using social media. That might have more of an effect on a teenager, but the overall message is for Irsay to put everything aside and focus entirely on attempting to straighten himself out. The feeling here is the league delivered an incomplete sentence in delivering that message. It is good the NFL refrained from taking away draft picks or anything of that nature -- there is no need to punish the team for something that didn't involve players or coaches -- but Irsay needed a harsher term.

Second down: NFL needs more Manziel, Sam

Dallas Cowboys practice squad player defensive end Michael Sam smiles as he speaks to reporters after team practice at the team's headquarters Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Given the seemingly endless cycle of negative news resulting from off-field transgressions, with the latest surrounding Ray McDonald and the 49ers, the NFL certainly would have benefited from a continued wave of positive energy surrounding Manziel's presence in Cleveland, as well as Sam's pursuit of a professional football career after becoming the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team. Imagine the buildup leading into Sunday with Manziel starting against Pittsburgh and Sam taking the field on special teams for Dallas against Minnesota. Neither will happen.

The fact that the season kicks off this week is certainly a nice diversion from all the arrests and suspensions in that the curtain finally rises and football, the game, takes center stage. Or so we hope. We may also see Johnny Football sooner than later. Still, compared to the excitement heading into and during training camp when Manziel jerseys were flying off the rack, much air has escaped the balloon.

As far as Sam returning to his native state, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett wants everyone to know that the signing was about football ... and football only. With Jerry Jones running the show, however, one can never be sure of anything.

Third down: Raiders give keys to Carr

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

While Manziel bathed in the spotlight heading into the draft, there was also a decent amount of chatter surrounding fellow quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater. All three went in the first round. So who is the only rookie QB to be his team's starting signal caller heading into Week 1? Why, of course, Derek Carr. Few saw that coming, including Matt Schaub.

Sweet revenge for the Carr family? They likely could care less. However, there is an interesting irony. It was Schaub's arrival in Houston following the 2006 season that allowed the Texans to jettison Carr's older brother, David, who was the first pick in Texans franchise history and a five-year starter.

By all accounts, Carr had himself quite a preseason while earning praise from teammates. Meanwhile, Schaub's performance was rather pedestrian. His acquisition in March seemed to signal that he would be the starting quarterback and that a change of scenery would be the tonic needed to recover from a woeful final season in the Lone Star State. But it should be noted that the Raiders, at least to some degree, had their sights set on Carr a couple of months prior to the draft. Besides, who could blame coach Dennis Allen for making the move? Carr was impressive in Oakland's final preseason game, and this could be just what a team that has endured 11 straight non-winning seasons needs.

Audibles

FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2014, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Philadelphia. Is Nick Foles a franchise quarterback or was his historic sophomore season a fluke? (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Speaking of Michael Sam, little time was wasted in slashing the price of his Rams jerseys following his release. ... Apparently, 27 touchdowns against a scant two INTs and league-best rating were not enough to convince Donovan McNabb that Nick Foles just might have a bright future in Philly. Enough to make you spit up, no? In backtracking from his comments, McNabb made the more sensible point that everybody should let things play out in what will only be Foles' second full season. In so doing, McNabb suggested the third-year QB will more likely settle into a 25 TD and 8-10 INT kind of season. For the record, throwing at least 25 touchdown passes with 10 or fewer interceptions is something the former Eagles quarterback did exactly one time in Philly himself. ... Coach Chip Kelly has five of his former Oregon Ducks on Philly's active roster and a couple more stashed away on the practice squad heading into Sunday's opener against visiting Jacksonville. While the team circumstances are far different, it reminds me of former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano and the four former Scarlet Knights that were on the Bucs' season-opening roster a year ago. Alas, all four -- Jeremy Zuttah (who was on board prior to Schiano), Tiquan Underwood, Brian Leonard and Tim Wright -- are, like their coach, gone. ... Many details need to be worked out, but at least talk of getting a new stadium for the Raiders is ramping up. It would be hard to imagine another team leaving California, and any talk of franchise relocation at all is unfortunate. Buffalo is another NFL city that could lose its team. Three groups have reportedly emerged to bid on the Bills, including one based in Toronto. While the Raiders have moved before, they found their way back to the Bay Area and it would be difficult for that city and its fans to lose the team again. Let's hope it does not come to that in Oakland or Buffalo, two original AFL cities that have seen their teams represented in the Super Bowl a combined eight times.